Background

Patrol officers have historically used dispatchers to garner information from databases, as well as to broadcast their position and activities. In the field, time may be critical to obtain information about potential suspects and any steps that limit unnecessary communication can improve safety.

Paperless Reports

Many police vehicles equipped with a laptop have a secure connection to the station network, allowing patrolmen to file citations and incident reports without having to return to station and complete paperwork, allowing them to spend more working hours on patrol in the community and less on administrative chores.

Access to Databases

Using the same secure connection, officers can also run checks on driver information against motor vehicle and criminal records databases, saving time compared to requesting the same information through a dispatcher.

Voice Activated Features

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have created Project 54, a voice-activated system that allows law enforcement officers to use voice commands to operate various parts of the vehicle without taking their hands off the steering wheel. This uses software run on laptops to control features such as the lightbar during a high-speed chase.

Future

Agencies that use handheld computers may soon be able to sync those devices with their cruiser-based systems, allowing them to remain with suspects and those in need of medical attention while notifying other officers of a situation. Replacing standard citation books and notebooks, it would cut down on the steps required for an officer who takes notes, returns to station and then writes a final report to submit to superiors.

Source:

Smithfield (RI) Police Department: Description of Police Cars

BostonGlobe.com: Hands-free police in control

Hampton (NH) Police Department: Cruiser Equipment